Taxameter or fare-indicator for hired vehicles.



P. RIGHERT. TAXAMETER OR FARE INDIOATOR FOR HIRED VEHICLES.

APPLIOATION TILED APK. 27, 1908.

907,4:O4. Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

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ATTF/VEV V P. RICHERT. TAXAMETER OR FARE INDICATOR FOR HIRED VEHIGLES.

APPLIOATION FILBD APE. 27, 1908.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/ 744 5555: O #WE/WM P. RICHERT.

TAXAMETEB. OR PARE INDIOATOR FOB. HIRED YEHIGLES.

APPLICATION FILBD APR. 27, 1908.

907 ,404. Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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P. RICHERT.

TAXAMETER OB. PARE. INDIGATOR FOB HIRED VEHIGLES;

APPLIOATION PILED APB. 27, 1908.

33 3 7 ev %n PAUL RICHERT, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

TAXAMETER OB FARE-INDICATOR FOR HIRED VEHICLES.

No. 9o7,4o4.

Specificaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Application filed April 27, 1908. Serial No. &29,335.

To all 'whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, PAUL RICH RT, a citizen oi' the German Empire, residing at Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, have invented new and useful Improvements in Taxameters or 'Fare-Indicators for Hired Vehicles, oi which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to taxameters or fare indicators for hired vehicles, and its objects are to enable the same to be operated with the least possible loss of time, particularly at the beginning and end of the journey, to orovide protection against certain iraudu ent manipulations of the driver and to attain further advantages as regards the construction and applicability of the apparatus.

The persons who use a hired public vehicle have generally little time to spare. They require the driver to start at once, nor do they wish to be detained at the end of the journey. The driver who desires to comply with the wishes of his fare in this respect and has at the same time to keep his eye on the traflic and look after his horse or motor must be in a position to manipulate the apparatus quickly and Conveniently.

The apparatus were previously so constructed that in order to set and alter them it was necessary to operate both the signal flag or device (hereinaiter called the signal) and a setting or altering spindle, separate and distinct from the signal, it being only possible for the movements of the signal and spindle to take place in a certain sequence in consequence of the one being locked by the other. This arrangement afords great protection against iraudulent manipulation of the totalizing mechanism which registers the number of journeys or fares and consequently the number or total sum of the initial 'fares received. This mecham'sm, like the other adding mechanisms of the taximeter, has no end position, but begins to count :from zero again after its highest indication (999 for example) has been reached. If it were not for the looking arrangement before mentioned, the driver could move this totalizing mechanism through zero to any figure in a relatively short time by repeatedly putting the apparatus into operative condition. But the looking of the two devices used for setting and altering the apparatus involves tedious or complicated manipulation. The practice was therefore afterwards adopted for transferr-ing to one device, viz. the signal, the

tion.

whole duty of setting the apparatus into and out of operative condition and to the various working conditions.

In setting the apparatus for the various conditions of service, for example, from Free' to Tariff l Tariff 2, Tariff 3, Cash and back to Free the signal was turned round through 360. This arrangement presented the advantage that it allowed of ready manipulation in setting the apparatus for use. The taxameter could be set for service by simply lowering the flag and without the operation of a second device. The arrangement, however, possesses very considerable disadvantages. In the first place it is possible to fraudulently move the above mentioned totalizing mechanism through zero to any figure in a relatively short time by repeatedly turning the signal round. It is a further disadvantage that the signal has to be turned through a complete revolution every time to bring the apparatus back to Free'fl If for example a three tari'f apparatus is set for Tarii 1 it is necessary to turn the signal through Tariff 2 Tariff 3 and Cash to bring it to Free posi- This disadvantage of having to put the signal to positions corresponding to conditions of hire (in the present case Tariff 2 and Tariff 3") which have nothing to do with the particular journey, in order to set the apparatus to Free might be avoided if the apparatus were put into the "Free" position by simply turning the signal back, instead of turnin it right round in the forward dii ection. With such an arrangement it would not be necessary in the above example of an apparatus set for Tariff 1 (which is the mostusual case), to move the apparatus through Tariff 2 and Tariff 3 in order to bring it to Free. But here a new difficulty arises. It has been found desirable to provide for an intermediate position between the various working positions and the Free position, namely the so-called Cash position, to which the apparatus is set at the end of the journey when the fare is to be paid by the passenger. In setting the apparatus to this position the clockwork driving mechanism is generally thrown out of operation (for example by stopping the balance wheel) in order that the amount of the fare shall not increase during the time occupied in payment, which might lead to diiferences between the passenger and driver and to trouble for the driver with the the cab proprietor. On the other hand the distance drive generally and properly remains in engagement while the apparatus is set to Cash, so that if the vehicle is driven further with the apparatus in this position the fare indicated is increased. In taximeters as previously constructed the setting to Cash is effected by means of the same device (for example the signal) as that which serves for setting the apparatus to the other working positions. Consequently the Cash position must be arranged immediately before the Free position. The arrangement is then such that the apparatus cannot be set back from Cash to a tarifl' position. This Cash position involves difficulties when it is desired to construct an instrument capable of being set to operative position and for the various tarifs by turning the signal in one direction and to the Free position by turning the signal back, which arrangement would present the above-mentioned advantages.

With the Cash setting arrangement hitherto employed, the Cash position would, even in such an apparatus, have to be necessarily arranged immediately before the Free position, and consequently in returning the signal this would have to be put first to Cash and then to Free, to prevent its being possible or necessary to set the apparatus from Cash to a tariff before putting it into the Free position, and in order that the indication Cash'fl 7).-6. the indication of the completion of the journey, should not be thus again canceled. The consequence would be that the Cash position would have to be passed through in turning the signal forward from Free to a tariff. But the setting of the apparatus to Cash before the commencement of the journey is absurd and would under some conditions lend itself to fraud. In order therefore to effect the setting, altering and putting out of operation of the apparatus by turning the signal forward and back, the method previously employed for setting the apparatus to Cash must be abandoned in order to prevent the disadvantage mentioned. The system previously employed for this purpose possesses further defects. In particular it does not allow of setting the apparatus to Cash" quickly enough at the end of the journey. For example at the end of a journey on "Tariff 1,the apparatus (assuming it to be of the type in which the signal is turned through a complete revolution) can only be set to Cash through Tariff 2 and Tariff 3. These manipulations cannot be performed so quickly and certainly as could be desired by a chauffeur who has to look after a number of levers or a driver engaged in holding in a restive horse in a crowded thoroughfare. Similarly, with an apparatus which is set by turning the signal forward and is put out of operative position by turning the signal backwards, it would be necessary, at the end of a journey on Tariff 3, to put the apparatus back to Tariff 2 and Tariff l before it could be set to the Cash" position. A further disadvantage of the previous systems of setting to Cash is that when the apparatus has been put to this position the passenger can no longer see for what tariff it was previously set.

It is the driver s right and duty at the end of the journey to put the apparatus to the Cash position. But in many cases the passenger never looks at the apparatus, to see the amount of the fare and the tarifi" on which he has been driven, until this moment. With the arrangements hitherto employed, the indication of the tariif for which the apparatus was set disappears when the apparatus is moved to the Cash position, so that the passenger can no longer see whether the driver had set the apparatus to an excessive tariff or not. Finally it is a great disadvantage that the Cash indicating arrangement is not sufficiently distinguished from 'the various tariff indicating arrangements, since the payment is indicated by the same means and at the same place as the tariifs. Consequently it is possible for a driver who has just put down a fare and taken up another one-say a foreigner, whom he thinks he can cheat-to drive on with the apparatus at Cash? In this way he cheats the second fare, who has to pay the amount of the previous journey again, and also the owner of the vehicle to whom he has not to pay the amount of the first journey.

By means of the present invention all disadvantages and possibilities of fraud are avoided.

The drawing illustrates by way of example one form of a taximeter constructed to embody the invention, all parts to which it is unnecessary to refer being omitted.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on line A-A, Fig. 2, with the parts in the "Free" position. Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan View, in section on line B--B, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar elevation to Fig. 1 with the apparatus set for Tariff 1. Fig. 4 is a similar elevation with the apparatus set to Cash. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the apparatus set to 'Cash", drawn to a reduced scale.

a is the casing of the apparatus closed at front by a glass window 7) and at the rear by a back c screwed to the casing.

d is the spindle of the signal e rotatably mounted in the back c.

On the spindle d is fixed a wheel f formed with gaps in its periohery. A strong spring q tends to keep a roller i pivotally mounted on a lever h, pressed against the wheel f and to hold the spindle d in one of the positions in which the roller i is seated in a gap of the wheel On the spindle d is likewise Secured a disk k carrying a number of pins k These pins serve to rotate a star wheel Z, which in the example illustrated is in the form of a five-pointed star.

l is a lever pressed by a spring Z between two arms of the star wheel and serving to hold it in its pro er positions. The spindle 2- of the wheel ?is mounted in the frame plates m m and carries one or more cams Z that actuate the levers (not shown) which serve for putting the apparatus into the operative and disengaged positions and also a disk Z bearing the desired indications such for example as Tariff 1 or 2, 3, Free which are displayed through an aperture in the front frame plate m To the disk k at a part of its circumference is Secured a segmental metal piece formed at its outer edge with ratchet teeth 7: and at its inner edge with oppositely directed ratchet teeth 7c n is a tooth or nose fixed on a lever n pivot ng about n this tooth being adapted to engage the outer teeth k or the inner teeth 76 according to the position of lever n as described later.

is a strong fiat spring which presses against a flat portion of the lever n and tends to return this lever to the desired position when it has been turned in either direction out of this position. I

l/Vith the improved taximeter, the apparatus is only set to operative position to the various tarifls and to the ree position by the signal, the setting to Cash being effected by a separate device. In the example illustrated the setting to a tariff is effected by turning the signal in the one direction, and the setting to the Free position by turning the signal back. By this means the above mentioned advantage is attained that after a journey on Tariff 1, which is the most usual case, there is no necessity to move the apparatus to Tariff 2" and Tariff 3, but it can be at once put back from Tariff 1 to ((Fre7 A further advantage is however attained. The backward rotation of the signal to Free is limited by the stop pin e (see Figs. 1 and 2), the forward rotation by the stop pin 6 can be turned forward may be varied by changing the position of the pin 6 and by this means the number of positions or conditions of hire to which the apparatus can be set may be varied. *Nith the pin 6 in the position shown two different settings are possible, for example to Tariff 1 and Tariff 2 By changing the position of the pin 6 this two-tariff apparatus can be converted into an apparatus for a different number of tarifls or working conditions, for example into a one-tariff, three-tariff, or four-tariff apparatus. This is of great advantage, both as regards the manufacture of the apparatus The angle through which the signal i The flap can only be caused to disappear by and its ready interchangeability, as the tariffs vary in different cities and moreover are frequently changed in consequence of police regulations.

In setting the taxameter fromFree" to Tariff 1 that is to say in turning the signal e from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3, the tooth n engages the ratchet teeth 7c In moving the taxameter ;from Tariff 1 to "Free", that is to say in turning the signal e back from the position Fig. 3 to that in Fig. 1, the tooth n comes into engagement with the oppositely directed ratchet teeth 7c Consequently in setting to Tariff 1 the driver cannot move the signal back from an intermediate position to Free, but can only continue to turn the signal down. Similarly in setting to Free" the driver cannot set the signal on again to Tariff 1 from an intermediate position but can only continue to turn the signal back. There is no obstruction in either direction of rotation 'between the different tariffs (Tariff 1 and Tariff 2 in the example illustrated), and consequently the apparatus can be set backwards and forwards at will between the different tariffs.

According to the present invention the i setting of the apparatus to Cash is not effected by the same device as that which serves for the other conditions of hire (in the example illustrated the signal) but by a separate device, and it is not indicated at the same place or by the same means (disk l as the other conditions of hire, but at another point and by means of a distinet device, namely a long flap q which is caused to drop oblquely in front of the frame plate m visible at the front of the apparatus and formed with an aperture for exposing the tarifi disk Z and an aperture s for exposing the amount of the fare indicated by the apparatus. The flap 9 is preferably of a striking color, bright red for example, and should bear a distinctly legible inscription, such as End of journey-cash.

The flap q can be at once displayed with any desired tariff (both f Tariff 1 and Tariff 2" in the example illustrated) by slightly turning a knob. The amount of the fare and the tarif both remain indicated.

indicated by the same means and at the same point as the various taritls.

The fact that the flap (1 can be at once displayed with any desired tarifl" presents two further advantages of great importance in practical use. Firstly the direct operation of the device by a small knob can be much more readily and quickly done than is possible when the apparatus has to be eifected by moving a more dillicultly manipulated setting device, the signal for example, through a number of other working positions such as Tariff 2 and Tarifl 3. The importance of this easy and quick operation has been shown above. Further the taril to which the apparatus was set remains visible after the fiap has been displayed. The importance of this fact has also been referred to above. The driver is also compelled to display the fiap 1 as the signal is prevented by suitable means from being put to Free until the fiap has been set. Thus the further advantage above mentioned is attained, namely that the so called journey recorder cannot be fraudulently moved to any' desired indication in a relatively short time by moving the signal to and fro, inasmuch as the llap q must always be operated in order to return the signal and consequently the moving to and 'ro of the signal must always be interrupted by the operation of another device. The same advantage is therefore attained as with app-aratus in which the setting to the different working positions is elected by means of two devices such for example as the signal and a setting spindle operated by a separate handle. Butas compared with the last mentioned kind of apparatus, both the setting to a tari'i at the beginning of a journey and to Cash at the end of a journey can be more easily and directly efi'ected.

The means by which the said advantages are attained are as follows in the example illustratedz-The fiap QS 'is secured on a spindle q mounted to turn in the frame plates m and m To the other end of the spindle g is attached a lever g carrying a pin (1 A spring q* tends to keep the lever g pressed down as far as permitted by the pin 2 which bears against the arm 19 oi' a lever 29. n the position shown in Fig. 1 the lever g and fiap g are raised, in which position the fiap q is covered by the projecting edge a of the casing a (see Figs. 2 and 5). In this position the lever g is held against the action of the spring 7 owing to the arm 19 of the lever p being correspondingly raised. The lever p carries a pin 19 against which a stop on the disk 75 bears in the Free position (Fig. 1). In the example illustrated this stop is constituted by the metal piece in which the teeth 76 and ?6 are formed. In this position of the lever p the left arm p holds the pin g lever 57 and fiap g in the raised position shown. Below the arm p is the nose 0 of a rotatable disk 0 adapted to be turned against the pull of a spring 0 by a knob 0 outside the back c. When the knob 0 is released, the disk 0 is pulled by the spring 0 into the position shown in Fig. 1, in which it bears against a stop 0 The right arm 19 of the lever 1) bears upon a pin on the lever n and thereby presses the lever n down against the action of the fiat spring n to such an eXtent that the tooth 'n is level with the ratchet teeth 76 If now the flag is turned to the right from the position shown in Fig. 1, the tooth n slides on the ratchet teeth 76 and prevents the flag from being raised again. In the position shown in Fig. 3, which corresponds to the setting for Tariff 1, the tooth n has so far left the ratchet teeth 76 as to be opposite the last tooth 7c The flat spring is tending to raise the tooth a to bring it opposite the teeth k but this lifting of the tooth n is prevented by the pin bearing against the arm 19 and the arm 19 bearing upon the nose o of the disk 0 In this position therefore the tooth n prevents backward rotation of the disk 75 and consequently the possibility of turning the signal e back to Free To allow of this being done the nose 0 must first be turned to the left by means of the knob 0, so that the lever p, which through the medium of the pins 7# and g is subject to the action of the springs and q both tending to turn it in the same direction, can move down with its arm p in front of the nose 0 This motion brings the llap g into the position shown in Figs. 4: and 5. At the same time the balance wheel r of the clockwork is stopped by the rotation of the spindle q, through 'the medium of the fiat spring q attached to the spindle g, so that the amount of the fare cannot now be increased by the clockwork mechanism, but only by the distance mechanism. In this position of the lever q the lever n is free to obey the action of the fiat spring and it therefore moves into the position shown in Fig. 4, in which the tooth n is opposite the ratchet teeth 76 The signal can now be turned back into the position shown in Fig. l (Free), as the ratchet teeth 76 allow of its return and only prevent the possibility of the driver lowering the signal or setting it to Tari' 'f 1 again from an intermediate position after he has begun to move it back.

When the signal is put back into the position shown in Fig. 1,' the pin p moves the lever p back, and this latter, through the medium of the pin g moves back the lever g and fiap q while the lever and tooth n are returned by the pin so that all these parts are brought into the position shown in Fig. 1. The spring 0 pulls the disk 0 back until it strikes the stop pin 0 so that the nose 0 is returned into the position, shown in Fig. l, under the arm p The setting of the fiap g by simply turning the knob 0 slightly can be performed with any tarifl for which the apparatus is set, that is to say in the example illustrated With the apparatus either at Tariff l or at Tariff 2. Between the different tarifls the signal can thus, as already remarked, be moved to and fro at will. When once the fiap q has been displayed, it can only be moved out of sight by putting the apparatus to Free. The setting to Free can only be done after the flap q has been displayed. Thus the possibilty of moving the signal to and 'ro to 'raudulently alter the mechan'sm which checks the number of j ourneys is prevented. The passenger is not delayed either at the beginning or end of the journey by tedious manipulation of the apparatus by the driver, since at the beginning of the journey all that is necessary to set the apparatus is to lower the indicator e and at the end of the ourney a slight turn of the knob o sufiices to set the apparatus to Cash.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a taXameter or fare indioating apparatus for hired vehicles, in combination, a single hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, for setting the various tarifi's or conditions of hire and l'or setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a special hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus at each tariff directly to Cash, and a separate device, actuated by said latter device, indicating "Cash" separately from the tarifi' just set and simultaneously being exhibited, substantially as described.

2. In a taxameter or fare indioating apparatus for hired vehicles, in combination, a single hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, for setting the various tariffs or conditions of hire and for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus at each tariff directly to Cash", a lever actuated by said device and fulcrumed on the casing, a Cash position indicating device released by said lever, Clockwork-controlling means operated by said lever, and means for looking the first named setting device, said means being disengaged by said lever for the purpose of setting the apparatus out of operative condition, substantially as described.

3. In a taXameter or fare indicating apparatus for hired vehicles, in combination, a single hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, for setting t e various tariffs or conditions of hire and for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a rotary handle, a cam connected with the handle, a lever 'ulcrumed on the casing and controlled by said cam, a Cash" position indicating device released by said lever, clockwork-controlling means operated by said lever, means 'for looking the setting device, said means being disengaged by said lever, which lever is held in its looking position by said cam and released on turning said cam, substantially as described.

4. In a taXameter or fare indicating apparatus for hired vehicles, in combination, a device for setting the apparatus into and out of engagement; a rotary handle, a cam connected with the handle, a lever fulcrumed on the oasing and controlled by said cam, a Cash position ndicating device released by said lever, olookwork controlling means operated by said lever, means for looking the setting device, said means being disengaged by said lever, which lever is held in its locking position by said cam and released on turning said cam, substantially as described.

5. In a taxameter or fare indicating apparatus for hired vehicles, in combination, a hand-actuated signal device rotating in two directions, means, operated by said signal device, on the latter being rotated in one direction, for setting the apparatus to the various tarifis or working conditions, and for.

setting out of operative condition on rotation in the other direction, a disk connected with said signal, a double faced rack secured to said disk, a spring-actuated lever fulcrumed on the casing and either engaging with the two faces of the rack alternately to allow of rotation of the signal device in the two directions alternately, or held in its middle position to prevent backward rotation of the signal device, and a lever controlling said spring-actuated lever, and means for controlling said controlling-lever, substantially as described.

6. In a taXameter or fare indicating device for hired vehicles, the oombination of a single-hand actuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition and for setting the apparatus out of operative oondition, looking means adapted to automatically rendersaid device inoperative for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a special hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus to Cash, and means actuated by said special hand-actuated device for releasing said looking means.

7. In a taXameter or fare indicating device for hired vehicles, the oombination of a single hand-aotuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, for setting the various tarifis or conditions of hire, and for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, looking means adapted to automatically render said device inoperative for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a special hand-actuated device for setting the apparatus to Cash, and. means actuated by said special hand-actuated device for releasing said locking means.

8. In a taxameter or fare indicating apparatus for hired vehicles, a single handactuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, and for setting the ap- Iaratus out of operative condition, a special and actuated "Cash" indicating device, means for automatically lockng said last mentioned device in indicating position, and means actuated by the first mentioned handactuated device for releasing said looking means and for moving said Cash indicating device out of indicating position.

9. In a taXameter or fare indicating apparatus for hired vehicles, a single handactuated device for setting the apparatus in operative condition, for setting the various tarifis or conditions of hire, and for setting the apparatus out of operative condition, a

special hand-actuated Cash indicating de- Vice, means for automatically looking said last mentioned device in indicating position, and means actuated by the first mentioned hand-actuated device for releasing said locking means and for noving said Cash indicating device out of ndicating position.

In testimony Whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PAUL RIOHER T.

Witnesses HENRY HASPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

